VPN on Kodi: Should you use it? What does it do?

Welcome to the start of our series of articles on using VPN on Kodi. In this guide, I will try to give you a general idea about what should you expect from these applications, and when it’s necessary to use one. In further guides, we will explore what options you have in order to implement VPN features on your Kodi HTPC, as well as if it can be implemented via addons. [Read:20 Best Kodi Addons for 2016: Updated, working list]

You should know that VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. What this does is basically extend the reach of a private network (such as one that could be configured in a house or office) across the internet, so it is accessible over the internet. Companies use it, for example, to enable their employees to work from home or from abroad on their internal servers. Of course, they can also be used to give a computer internet access through a different network than the one provided by the original ISP (Internet Service Provider), and this is the use they have for us as consumers.

Simply put, you are able to acess content from your computer, and make it look as if you were on another location. Using a VPN on Kodi is great to access geoblocked content, such as the one you can find through addons like Kodi USTVNow addon, and other geoblocked addons. This is a problem, specially with Kodi sports addons. [Read:3 Ways to watch ESPN online on XBMC]

How do I know if I need a VPN on Kodi?

VPN on Kodi serves mainly two purposes: helps you access geoblocked content, as we said earlier; and also protects your online identity, in case you are concerned about it. It is suggested to use VPN mainly with services such as torrents or Usenet, because these services involve being connected with many computers, and thus might pose a security risk. However, in these cases, it would be better to enable a VPN on your whole system, and not just for Kodi. [Read:5 Best Usenet Search providers for Sick Beard and CouchPotato]

This diagram roughly describes what happens on a VPN connection. Note the remote user connects to “Head office” (in our case this would be the VPN service) and “Head Office” connects to “Regional Office” through the Internet (in our case, these would be content sources).

Interestingly, as there are Kodi movies addons, Kodi live TV addons and other plugins that enable you to enhance your Kodi features, there are some addons that only install Kodi VPN. A VPN addon for Kodi is specially useful, for example, on systems where Kodi is the only app running, such as iterations of VPN services for OpenELEC that are commercially available. The only problem is, that most of these services are paid, and the free ones come out as untrustworthy or, at least, concerning, regarding their level of safety. This makes it important to search for the best VPN for Kodi, to keep your information and system safe.

Using a VPN you can avoid errors like this one, when using geoblocked addons.

In the next guides about this subject we will explore some of the best Kodi VPN addons that enable you to install Kodi VPN, how to configure them, and use them. If you do not want to bother setting up a VPN, you could just install several Kodi addons and, if one is geoblocked, try another one. Still, there is content you could miss if you take this approach. If you want lots of content without worrying about geoblocks, you could use the Kodi Exodus addon or the Kodi Velocity addon. These plugins enable you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows directly from the internet. Other addons might be geoblocked, and if that’s the case, soon you will know everything about getting past this inconvenience, by installing a VPN on Kodi.

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